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10 Priorities for CIOs in 2025

As 2025 begins, CIOs face a technology landscape vastly different from just a year ago. Artificial intelligence (AI), once an emerging innovation, is now mainstream, influencing nearly every aspect of the enterprise. Over the next 12 months, IT leaders can expect even more innovations and significant challenges.

To stay ahead, CIOs must continuously assess and adjust their business and technology strategies to accommodate rapid changes in technology, business, and the economy. Here are the top 10 priorities for CIOs in 2025:

1. Shift AI from Experimentation to Real Value

In 2024, generative AI dominated headlines as organizations experimented with its potential to improve efficiency and deliver new services. Now, CIOs must ensure AI investments deliver measurable commercial outcomes and address rapidly evolving customer needs. According to Bill Pappas, Global Technology Leader at Metlife, prioritizing strategic AI implementation is imperative for operational flexibility and resilience.

2. Be Ready to Reinvent Continuously

CIOs must invest in adaptability to respond to fast-paced technological and market changes. Andy Tay of Accenture highlights that organizations leveraging a cloud-driven digital core experience accelerated innovation, higher revenue growth, and improved profitability.

3. Align IT Operations with Business Needs

Alan Thorogood from MIT recommends reassessing IT operational models to ensure alignment with changing business demands. Building platforms that enable business leaders while enforcing organizational standards is key.

4. Leverage Agentic AI

AI agents are revolutionizing industries, from automating simple tasks to orchestrating complex processes. Gary Bailey of Phillips Edison & Co predicts AI will evolve into digital colleagues, driving end-to-end business automation.

5. Align AI with Business Goals for Maximum ROI

Wendy Collins of NTT DATA emphasizes that the best AI strategies are rooted in core business objectives, unlocking revenue growth and enhancing customer engagement.

6. Double Down on Cybersecurity

CIOs must fortify their defenses against ransomware, adopt cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, and develop continuity plans. Jeremy Rafuse of GoTo suggests adopting frameworks like zero trust to mitigate risks.

7. Prepare for the Quantum Threat

Quantum computing poses future risks to current security protocols. Ted Shorter of Keyfactor advises beginning the transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to safeguard critical data.

8. Embrace Organizational Change Management (OCM)

Effective OCM minimizes disruption during digital transformation. Gaudy Jandron of US Signal recommends publishing tech roadmaps, interactive Q&A sessions, and employee feedback mechanisms to ease transitions.

9. Drive Innovation Through Agility

Agility and innovation are now necessities rather than competitive advantages. Tim Barnett of Bluefin highlights AI as a transformative force, enabling automation and real-time decision-making at scale.

10. Stay Flexible and Adaptive

What worked in 2024 may not apply in 2025. Jeremy Rafuse advises CIOs to reevaluate tech stacks and processes, focusing on platform consolidation, AI adoption, and operational excellence.

As 2025 unfolds, CIOs must focus on these priorities to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ensuring their organizations thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.

David McAfee

David McAfee is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience at VPN Group. Specializing in online privacy and digital security, he has played a key role in developing advanced strategies to protect individuals and organizations from cyber threats.